On March 24, Santa Rosa County District Schools announced the Defined Learning Contest Winners. The district created a contest, in partnership with Defined Learning, to celebrate the incredible achievements of their talented educators and the inspiring project-based learning happening throughout the district. Submissions were completed throughout the months of January and February from educators around the district. Submissions were reviewed, and winners were determined by Defined Learning based on the project, student impact, and evidence provided. One submission from each grade band (pre-k/elementary, middle, and high) was selected. 

Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention group. Across the country, thousands of schools have created their own Hope Squads to foster connection and reduce the risk of suicide.

Santa Rosa County transferred $1 million in equipment to the Pensacola State College Aviation Airframe Mechanics program.

On Feb. 26, eighth grade students from across the district convened for the third annual Santa Rosa County Career Pathways Expo.

The immersive hands-on expo provides middle schoolers a glimpse into potential career and technical programs available at local high schools. Career and Technical Education teachers, high school students, and business professionals explained how those programs can lead to in-demand careers in Northwest Florida.

According to Santa Rosa County Economic Development, Santa Rosa County is the eighth fastest growing population in Florida with 203,752 current residents.

Of current residents, approximately 23.6% are between the ages of zero and 19. With rapid growth occurring in Santa Rosa the school district is forced to contend with ever evolving facility needs. To meet those needs, Santa Rosa County District Schools has invested in the K-8 school model, which combines elementary level students (K-5) with middle school students (6-8th grade) into one school environment.

East Milton Elementary School third graders donned their bonnets and caps as they portrayed historical Black figures in their Living Wax Museum.

Earlier this month, several members of the Facebook group, “Navarre Locals,” posted about receiving tickets for failing to stop for school buses. In Florida, it is a violation of the law to pass a school bus that is stopped and picking up or dropping off students.

Many of those who posted felt they had been involved in scenarios where they didn’t deserve a ticket. Erica G. made a post Feb. 12 describing an incident in which she failed to stop for a bus at a red light.

In January, Santa Rosa District Schools announced the Sunshine State Scholars for the district. Each high school chose one student to represent the very best of their school’s math and science education.

A cacophony of celebration ignited inside Kayla Stanford’s fifth-grade classroom Tuesday, Feb. 4, as Santa Rosa District Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Barber and others surprised Stanford with the announcement that she was District teacher of the year.

The announcement came as happy news to teacher and students alike, although for different reasons.

On Feb. 4, 35 high school juniors completed the first-ever Santa Rosa Junior Leadership program. The students were able to get a first-hand look into careers involved in robotics, virtual reality, and cybersecurity.